Nutrition
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Probiotics, feeding tolerance, and growth: a comparison between HIV-exposed and unexposed very low birth weight infants.
The aim of this study was to compare the effect of administration of probiotics on feeding tolerance and growth outcomes of HIV-exposed (but uninfected) versus HIV non-exposed preterm infants. The null hypothesis of this study states that there will be no difference in the feeding tolerance and growth outcomes for both probiotic-exposed and unexposed premature very low birth weight infants. ⋯ Probiotic supplementation did not affect growth outcomes or the incidence of any signs of feeding intolerance in HIV exposure.
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The term diet quality has recently gained considerable attention in nutritional research. Despite widespread use, it is often poorly defined and remains difficult to measure. Confusion surrounds the term, as there is no consensus on how to define quality of the diet or to pin down a framework for producing a standard indicator. ⋯ Most of the unresolved issues are related directly or indirectly to the multidimensional and open-textured nature of the concept. This review aims to elucidate several debated key points to understand the reasons behind this confusion and address the complexity of how to define and quantify this concept. A standardized and well-defined framework of diet quality is of great importance for both consumers and scientists from different disciplines.
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Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease characterized by insulin resistance; inflammation; oxidative stress; vascular damage; and dysfunction of glucose, protein, and lipid metabolisms. However, comparatively less attention has been paid to neurologic alterations seen in elderly individuals with type 2 diabetes. We review clinical, metabolic, and biochemical aspects of diabetic encephalopathy (DE) and propose that quality of dietary lipids is closely linked to DE. This implies that preventive nutritional interventions may be designed to improve DE.
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Controlled Clinical Trial
Yacon effects in immune response and nutritional status of iron and zinc in preschool children.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of yacon flour on iron and zinc nutritional status and immune response biomarkers in preschool children. ⋯ Yacon improved intestinal immune response but demonstrated no effect on the nutritional status of iron and zinc in preschool children.
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Dairy and milk consumption are frequently included as important elements in a healthy and balanced diet. It is the first food for mammals and provides all the necessary energy and nutrients to ensure proper growth and development, being crucial in respect to bone mass formation. ⋯ Lactose malabsorption symptoms and cow milk protein allergy are generally considered to be the adverse reactions to milk consumption. The present article reviews the main aspects of milk nutritional composition and establishes several associations between its nutritious role, health promotion, and disease prevention.